Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College

The Department of Human and Organizational Development (HOD) invites applications for a tenure-line or tenured professorship at the assistant, associate, or full level. Under the umbrella of community-engaged scholarship addressing complex social problems, the candidate’s area of specialization is open.

Human and Organizational Development is an interdisciplinary department with core faculty from community psychology, sociology, geography, anthropology, communication studies, and public health. We welcome applications from social scientists in any discipline, especially those who bring a spatial perspective to social problems, with an emphasis on economic, racial/ethnic, gender, and environmental equity.

Department faculty conduct community-engaged research, working closely with local partners to study actions and changes that may be organized at the local, state, national, or international levels. Faculty work on a wide array of issues including climate change, health equity, land and housing justice, community organizing, community responses to gender-based violence, youth empowerment, critical consciousness, and urban development. We have a shared interest in how organizations and communities develop solutions to social problems and promote change through, for example, psychosocial and sociopolitical development, collective action, citizen science and action-based research, organizational innovation, policy interventions, and multi-sector coalitions.

The department values qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research. Candidates who bring theoretical and methodological expertise in spatial analysis (e.g., critical geographic information systems, critical cartography) and experience with community-based or participatory research are particularly encouraged to apply. Links to existing departmental strengths would also be an asset.

Candidates should have a strong record of research productivity. Senior candidates, especially, should have a well-established program of research reflected in publications and a track record of external funding to support research endeavors. Successful candidates will have excellent teaching credentials, the demonstrated capacity to provide leadership and enhance instruction at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The candidate will teach and mentor students in the undergraduate program in Human and Organizational Development, the doctoral program in Community Research and Action, and, depending on area of research, our master’s programs in Community Development and Action, Human Development Studies: Organizational Development and Change, and/or Human Development Counseling.  

This faculty position provides a unique opportunity to join a highly productive, diverse, interdisciplinary, and collegial faculty at a research-intensive university. The application review process will begin in September 2024 and continue until the position is filled (applications received through November 1, 2024, will receive full consideration).

Please submit application material, including cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, teaching statement, a statement about your experience and commitment to diversity, select publications, and the names of three people who can provide a reference letter to the following link: http://apply.interfolio.com/153713. Additional questions may be directed to (donna.f.smith@vanderbilt.edu), 615-322-2677 or information about the department may be found at http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/hod/index.php.

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Equal Opportunity Employer: At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.